Bike Crash on 401, Drug Bust in Saskatchewan

A Bike Crash on 401 & Drug Bust in Saskatchewan head up the headlines today

In Toronto, a 28 year old rider has serious but non life threatening injuries after coming in contact with a car and loosing control. The crash had the 401 collector lanes shut down for hours.

The towns of Mistatim, Tisdale, Arborfield  Saskatchewan  were rocked when 67 police officers swooped in on 3 bars owned by Pam and Evan Ashdown.  

Begin Quote: In three simultaneous busts in three separate towns - Mistatim, Tisdale and Arborfield - police seized 32 pounds of marijuana, two ounces of cocaine and more than $230,000 in cash. They also seized five vehicles and four homes that were allegedly involved in crime. In all, 67 officers were involved in the bust. End Quote

In Sturgis South Dakota, Noise is an issue that that town is trying to deal with.  According to the article in the  Magic Valley News the towns bar owners have worked with city council to craft noise legislation surrounding the famous Black Hills Rally.

Begin Quote: The ordinance would prohibit:

• Disruptive noise or use of sound equipment in public or outside between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m.

• Operating construction equipment between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

• Operating sound equipment in a vehicle causing any disruptive noise or a vibration 20 feet from the vehicle.

If the rest of us complain about the noise of the motorcycle rally, imagine what it’s like for yearlong Sturgis residents. The proposed ordinance is in response to Sturgis residents who want the party that is the rally to tone it down in the early morning hours. End Quote

It is a super busy day in the news feeds - check them out at www.beltdrivebetty.com where our job is keeping you informed!

If you are fortunate enough to be riding today, PLEASE, ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you and remember to dress for the slide, not the ride.

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

The first crash of the Canadian Riding Season

A fail to yield charge has been levied against a driver who turned in front of a motorcycle in Essex County on Sunday. The rider has non life threatening injuries. According to the article, the OPP said that 1/3 of motorcycle crashes happen in intersections. They are warning drivers to signal properly for turns and lane changes and to look in their mirrors and around their vehicle before turning or changing lanes to ensure there are no other vehicles around them. The article also warns that motorcycles are hard to judge so to give more time and room.

The rider has not been identified.

With riding season almost here in most places across this great land, I cannot express enough that we need to ride like everyone around us is blind and cannot see us.

Let's do our best this season to arrive at our destinations safely each and every time we ride by taking no chances with our own safety.

Be hyper aware of your surroundings, go practise those rusty skills before you head out and please consider wearing good gear especially in urban situations where the majority of crashes take place, remember that 1/3 of crashes involving motorcycles happen at intersections and shorts, sandals and tank tops are not going to protect you in a crash.

The Noise Bylaw debate is heating up in Saskatoon as R.A.G.E. members there are vocal about the inequitable treatment of riders compared to other road users.

In Australia, Newman Campbell and Jarrod Bleijie are being sued by a lawyer over comments made that accuses lawyers who defend bikes as being part of a "criminal gang machine" and would do anything to defend their clients.

There are lots of new model reviews, and interesting articles in the news feeds over at www.beltdrivebetty.com where our work is keeping you informed.

Have a great day and if you are blessed enough to be riding, please ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider